If the late-February blues (no relation to the St. Louis Blues) are getting you down, you at least got a little taste of what Bruins hockey come April is going to look like tonight.

In defeating the Calgary Flames on the road, the Bruins used the formula they’re going to rely on to get them by in the postseason.

The Flames proved the perfect test for the new-look Bruins, who suited up Tomas Kaberle, Rich Peverley and Chris Kelly in the same game for the first time since last week’s trio of trades swung by general manager Peter Chiarelli. Left for dead not so long ago, the Flames have been playing playoff hockey – and doing it well – for the better part of the past month. Riding an 11-1-2 stretch into tonight’s game with the Bruins, the Flames went at Boston with all the desperation you’d expect from a team in the thick of a Western Conference race that seemingly includes everyone except Edmonton.

The Flames’ occasional two-man forecheck, their determination in the corners and behind the net, and their sound positional defensive play gave the Bruins fits at times. While they may not be able to claim a spot among the league’s elite teams, the Flames played at an intensity level consistent with teams that have Stanley Cup aspirations.

But Boston didn’t panic, partially powered by the 1-0 lead it took just 59 seconds into the game. And the Bruins showed that if the roster looks after the Feb. 28 trade deadline just like it does now, they have weaknesses that can be exploited and strengths that can cover up those blemishes.

Even with Kaberle, the Bruins can still sometimes be a puck-mover or two short on their back end. Adam McQuaid and Andrew Ference, who both recorded assists in the win, had their share of rough stretches trying to handle the puck against the Flames’ pressure. But that’s where the Norris Trophy-worthy play of Zdeno Chara and All-World netminding of Tim Thomas come in to save the day.

The Bruins lack a vaunted sniper, so when they’re not getting goals from Nathan Horton and Michael Ryder – who often look like they’re trying to shatter the back glass or decimate the opposing goaltender’s pads – Boston has to muck it up around the net to score. All three goals, even Milan Lucic’s game-sealing empty-netter, were the product of hard work by the goal-scorer or those around him. Lucic fought his way to the blue paint for his first goal. Brad Marchand cashed in on a rebound after Patrice Bergeron was a one-man wrecking crew on the forecheck and then in front of the goal. Lucic won a race to tap the Bruins’ third goal into the open net after Mark Recchi and David Krejci won the war along the wall.

Nothing’s going to come easy at the offensive end for these Bruins. They’re in the top 10 in offense, but they’re not going to win any shot beauty contests. That’s the unspoken reasoning behind Chiarelli’s trades for Peverley and Kelly. Chiarelli seems resigned to the notion that he can’t land a top-six sniper via trade, so he did what he considers the next best thing and landed two guys with an unrelenting work ethic, the likes of which can at least generate offensive chances and turn momentum Boston’s way even without lighting the lamp.

Winning faceoffs (they won 56 percent tonight) and blocking shots (20 against the Flames led by four apiece from Kaberle and McQuaid) are the other pieces of the formula. The Flames were already playing playoff game when they took the ice tonight; the Bruins can now claim they’ve played at least one playoff game some two months before the start of the actual race to the Cup.

As evidenced by tonight’s victory, and maybe a couple others to this point of the season, we know Boston can muster this type of team-wide effort when necessary. You can only bury Ottawa and the New York Islanders so many times and garner meaning from those victories. It’s wins like this one over the Flames that give the fan base hope for a lengthy run and, more importantly, schools the Bruins on exactly how they need to play when the season’s on the line.

Come spring, the Bruins will be able to look back at this victory over the Flames as a source of confidence for playing winning playoff hockey. It remains to be seen, however, if they can duplicate it 16 times.

Does anyone else think that the criticism and trade suggestions of David Krejci is absurd? Patrice Bergeron Is our best leader next to the Z but he does not have the vision and subtle hands of David Krejci. Bergeron is great, but we need a top playmaker with the passing and vision of a David Krejci. that way, Bergeron can be used as a role player playing on a line with other top 6 forwards; and he is also free to take on the opposing top lines. Just remember how Krej carried the team on his back agains philly in the playoffs and how bad we crumbles when he was injured. Believe me B’s fans, you would notice the skill of David Krejci if he was not on the ice; we would be a disaster.

Seguin and the rest of the fourth line earned their time on ice after the empty net goal. They played extremely well during the game and with a two goal lead and under 50 seconds left hey what better time to get the experience.

One thing I think that is important to remember, looking at the recent roster upgrades, is that skill in hockey means nothing unless you are winning the puck battles. Kelly and Peverley are hard-nosed guys who do their jobs on the boards, and aren’t afraid to go hard on the forecheck… they showed that last night. Guys like Bergeron, Lucic, and Marchand all win their battles more often than not, and even Gregory Campbell does decent work.

Hard work throughout all four lines (minus, perhaps, Glyder) is what has a team with sparse flashes of prettiness boasting 10 players with 10+ goals, 10 players with 30+ points (including the recent acqusitions), and one of the best goal differentials in the league.

In my eyes, the B’s (when at their best) can out-play any team in this Conference. They’re built for the playoffs with their depth at center and their ability to grind, complemented by their timely displays of skill and ability to execute offensively. It’s not always pretty, but I like where this team is headed.

Sorry about the monumental ‘We’ gaffe. If you think Kelly and Campbell are the same players you’re wrong. Kelly averaged a point a game in last years playoffs.Campbell has averaged zero playoff games in his career. I’ve never compared the two and the only case you’re making is they are bottom six players. Kelly is an upgrade to Campbell. Boston is going to need depth and I don’t know a team that has top six guys up in the press box. If they have NHL players that can move in and out of the lineup than you can say that there is depth.

The other Nifty is right on. We got Kelly as a depth player who is also defensively sound and will help contribute to our P.K. where Wheeler did before. Kelley doesn’t look like he has enough skill to be a really effective 3rd line man on a championship team, but he works hard, as does Peverly. That said, the 3rd line was the only line that didn’t seem too dangerous last night. As has been suggested, we may need to wait and see what happens, but they aren’t giving up goals, and are making some smart plays. So the groundwork is there, now let’s see if they can pull it together.

Carl Gunnarson, Luke Schenn are two young guys that benefited from playing with Kabby. He’ll have his moments but if you watch him you’ll appreciate just how good the guy is. I only wish we had snagged him at last years draft but better late than never. The fact we can play him with Seidenberg instead of some greenhorn gives us a solid pairing that we didn’t have a week ago.You can play him with anyone. He has had some Norris votes over the years for a reason.

The reason they got Kelly was for depth. He’s a better skater than Campbell and has a least played in the NHL playoffs. If you have depth at center you can play a center on the wing much easier than the reverse. Inter-competition will make us better as well.

nice comments zach and GR90. hey matt heard you on the sports hub this morning, I thought you were right on. personally I give PC a lot of credit for sticking with his lockerroom and not going for the big trade. they stayed true to their cause and finally got kaberle, they weren’t just flailing about. hopefully they will be able to sign him. hated to see colborne go. the best teams are built through scouting and the draft, and during the offseason. I like seguin on the third line with peverly and ryder, thought he played well again last night.

Very good road game for the B’s. I believe as the new guys get comfortable they will be solid. My one complaint….why did CJ roll out the 4th line right after the empty netter? This was a non issue but why take the chance? I don’t mind Campbell out there but Seguin and Thornton should be on the bench in that situation.(IMO)

I am not impressed with the new guys yet, especially Paverley and Kelly. But as Rich said let´s wait a bit longer to judge them. Although I´ve got to say I don´t see a lot of difference from Paille to Kelly.

i didnt think the new guys played great but the weird part about last night games is that i wasnt as nervous about a one goal lead like the rest of the year .. they held it for over two periods.. that might be a record this year! hopefully thats what the two offensive pickups can do, create chances while being able to handle when teams make that extra push

I think Kelly played pretty well and while he isn’t going to be the playmaker Savard was, he seemed to be pretty aware of where his wingers were (some passes didn’t quite connect, but practice a few games together and I think we will see them click).

Peverly I didn’t notice a lot, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing and at worst it is an even trade for Wheeler and at best a pretty strong upgrade.

I am not sure the Bruins will be in the cup final, but I think the moves made do shore up some problems. The biggest one though is appearing flat for one or more periods, and that is a mental problem not necessarily a talent problem. If these guys want to make it to the end they have got to put together 3 periods of solid play every game.

Not sure about the new guys Peverly and Kelly, they don’t look like much of an upgrade at this point. I guess we can hold off on judging them for a few more games. Kaberle looks good, really moves the puck, should really help the power play.

if the bruins are still short a puck mover why sit kampfer? he can be decent in that role as we’ve seen. i don’t have a problem with the defensemen they dressed tonight though. i think the puck moving defenseman stuff is overstated at this point.

Fantastic overall effort from the team tonight. They played physical, tough hockey… worked the boards well and everything. For only having one power play chance (albeit a 4:00 double minor) and one two-on-one chance, the B’s did alright for themselves. Kipper had a hell of a game too, there’s a reason he’s been the franchise goalie for so long in Calgary. The B’s won’t always have to face a guy like that between the pipes, so as long as they play with that same intensity, they will continue to win battles and create opportunities